MORE than 370 miles of roadworks will be finished or suspended in time for the bank holiday get-away next week.

Highways England has pledged to complete almost 180 sets of roadworks and temporarily lift another 22 by early next Friday to help motorists head off on their holidays with as little disruption as possible.

Works expected to be finished include eight miles of roadworks between junction 18 and 19 of the M4 at Tormarton and on the popular route to the south west, resurfacing on the A38 at Chudleigh and survey work on the M5 junction 29 at Exeter.

Jim O’Sullivan, Highways England chief executive, said: “This August bank holiday, we’re helping drivers with their journeys by clearing roadworks across the majority of our motorways and major A roads in England.

“Our traffic officers will also be on patrol and working with partners to help clear any incidents, the vast majority of which will be dealt with in under an hour.

“We’re asking people to be prepared too. Make sure you have everything you need for your journey should there be any delays, check before and during your journey and also make sure you’re aware of the signs and signals on motorways.”

The agency says almost 98 per cent of England’s motorway and major A road network, will have no roadworks over the bank holiday period.

They will be completed or suspended from 6am on Friday until 12.01am on August 30, meaning that more lanes will be open and in many cases normal speed limits restored.

For the safety of drivers and their passengers, lane restrictions or temporary speed limits will need to remain in 46 place.

More than 70 sets of roadworks are set to be finished on the M25, including improvement work at junction 4-4a near Heathrow.

Several along the M11 on the route to Stansted Airport will also be finished as will 20 on the M1.

Highways England is advising drivers of the resources on offer to help them arrive at their destinations safely, including advice about driving on smart motorways where signs and signals are used to help ease traffic flow.

Those travelling with caravans and trailers are also urged to check their vehicles before they take to the roads – especially their tyres, to ensure they are not worn or damaged – to help avoid a potential breakdown or incident and help keep traffic moving.

Visit highwaysengland.co.uk for more information.